Monday 3 September 2012

Read All About It

Our challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show this week is to use text in your art, that could be a favourite text stamp, a book you would like to alter or use a book as your inspiration or even a journal page. This week our challenge is all about words; play and have fun!

We also have something very special for you this week, it's also time for the Simon Says Stamp STAMPtember Blog Hop


"Simon Says Stamp was founded in 2002 with an interest in exclusively selling rubber stamps. It didn’t take long until we realized we couldn’t stop there. Over the past 10 years we celebrate rubber stamping in its full glory by giving access to people around the world to a one stop shop. Rubber stamps still remain the heart of our business and we are celebrating by hosting a “STAMPtember” ™ event intended to inspire, educate, and celebrate the greatness of rubber stamping. Part of the enticement of rubber stamping is that stamps can be used in creating or complementing ANYTHING! From stamping dates on bank documents and postage parcels in the early 18th century, rubber stamping has dramatically expanded to include card making, scrapbooking, mixed media and many forms of altering and expressing art".

So an exciting week ahead and a fantastic way to kick off the STAMPtember ™  festivities with a Design Team Blog Hop. You also have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate for leaving a comment on my blog and entering this weeks challenge. Winners will be announced at 8am on September 12th.

I am celebrating  STAMPtember ™  with an altered book.  I was inspired by an old book which is destined to become an anniversary card for my husband.
I love altering books and creating a niche in the centre, the depth is fabulous and it creates so much interest; although my fingers were very stiff once I had torn my way through all the pages. Texture is something I always love to add to my creative pieces, I feel it adds so much more to a project and I love that my creation is so tactile.  Add into the mix plenty of Gesso and Claudine Hellmuth sky blue acrylic paint, along with vintage photo Distress Ink and my background is good to go.
I added plenty of Gesso in the background using a palette knife, spreading quite thickly. Once dry I applied a little sky blue paint rubbing a little vintage photo ink over the raised areas. To break up the blue a little I added rusty looking elements including my bird cut from white card using the caged bird die and embossing with Antiquities rust embossing powder. Fly has been added to the bird's wing from the Chitchat stickers to give a little more interest.
I added a heart to my niche cut from corrugated card and machine stitched for that hand made feel, adding a little coiled rusty wire for dimension. Chitchat stickers have been added along with two small rusty hearts. I added DREAM to memo pins adhered with Glossy Accents.
I cut bunting from white card, stamped each piece with the bunting acrylic stamp from Jenni Bowlin, using the dots on the stamp rather than the whole image to add dots to my smaller bunting to fit the size of my book a little better. Each piece of bunting was also embossed around the edges with the rust embossing powder. For further dimension I also added two bird veneers, coloured with vintage photo ink.
To add the ultimate dimension I included a huge dimensional flower cut using the tattered florals die, cut from Glassine paper and scrunching in my hands to give that great dimension.

Please hop to my teammates' blogs, each of them has a special handmade work of art to share with you and also more prizes along the way! Enter the "Read All About It" challenge and be sure to use a STAMP in your artwork and you could be the lucky winner of our GRAND PRIZE of $100 Simon Says Stamp SHOPPING SPREE!

If you arrived here from Terry's blog you are on the right track. I have also included a full list for the Blog Hop should you get lost along the way.


Thanks for visiting! The next stop in the Simon Says STAMPtember ™  Blog Hop is http://www.simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/  If while hopping, you encounter a broken link, you can go back to the beginning with links to everyone who is participating in the hop.

Enjoy the BLOG HOP! Tracy x x

Products Used:

Claudine Hellmuth Gesso
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Acrylic Paint - Sky Blue
Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
Antiquities Rust Embossing Powder
Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Chitchat Stickers, Memo Pins, Glassine
Wire
Glossy Accents
Jenni Bowlin Bunting Clear Rubber Stamp
Studio Calico Bird Veneers
Tim Holtz Alterations Dies - Tattered Florals




219 comments:

1 – 200 of 219   Newer›   Newest»
Candy C said...

Tracy, I love your anniversary card to the hubby. There is so much detail, at first I thought it was a canvas! :) Love your heart that almost looks like nesting material. Love the "DREAM" made with the memo pins. Love your tattered flower and your bird. And the little bunting at the top...so cute! As always, great attention to detail! <3 Candy

Suzanne C said...

That burrowed heart is awesome and then to place the heart back in is a clever detail! Of course the stitching is another detail. Love all the details on this. Beautiful!

Paper Therapy Ponderings said...

I can see where your hands would be very tired from tearing - but that heart is distressed awesomeness - thanks for sharing your project

Barb Housner

Jennifer Scull said...

so many beautiful touches on this! the bird makes it as sweet as can be and I love the soft blues...
thanks for sharing with us! :)

aisling said...

Love your dreamlike altered book! Love all details: the hearts and the metal bits and pieces.

Heather K. said...

WOW! The dimension and texture you created here are simply fab!!

Scrapthat said...

That's a Unique Idea! Altering a book for a card! Way to think outside the box!! TFS

Debbie said...

Love, love, love all te textural elements of this card! Great job.

Vickie ODell said...

I love your collection of details in the middle. It really sets off your project. You have a nice collection of elements that I'm sure your husband will like!

PiHi said...

Lovely colours! Blue and brown make a good combination.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Love your book, love the blue and brown! The title in the pins (ala Wendy) is perfect! Great images and embellies!

Stacie (craft-princess) said...

Oh my goodness! I (heart) this so much!!! Really is gorgeous!!!

Kailash said...

Stunning, love the blue and brown combo. The design is gorgeous on the card!!!

un apres-midi d'octobre said...

great and beautiful idea, love colors!

Lynn Stevens said...

Tracy your attention to detail always amazes me. all those torn heart pages, the metal bits and pieces another Fabulous art piece. Should be framed!
hugs Lynn

Heidi Y said...

Beautiful book!!

Andi (RrlScrapGal) said...

I love all the torn hearts from the book and all those layers! Great job!

Anonymous said...

This is so beautiful... Love it!!!

Scrapycandy said...

I heart your card! Thanks!

liberal sprinkles said...

Hi I love the gessoed background, the texture from the palette knife gives if such cool texture!

grace

Unknown said...

There are so many details to look at and admire on your card! This creation should be on a stand or framed. Thanks for sharing!

Helen said...

What a great altered book, I love your torn heart, I must try one of these soon... Hope the hop goes well!

Suzi Mac said...

What a beautiful project this is Tracy. Your texture and fabulous elements just jump off the page at you. Thank you for the inspiration and a fabulous Blog Hop.
Hugs
Suzi x

Brenda Brown said...

Oh my Tracy, I love all your work, but this is stupendous. I just adore it.
Have a great week.
hugs {brenda} xox

marianne said...

I love the look of this! C'est magnifique!

Chris said...

So wonderful and a gorgeous technique! :)

Clay and Amy said...

This is really fantastic! What a fun blog hop!

Barbara said...

I think your husband will really love this card! It has lots of fabulous details and was lovingly created! I especially like that it was created from a book. Fantastic!

Marjie Kemper said...

Tracy, I love this niche you've made.... it's gorgeous! So many cool details, colors, and textures.

Jen said...

Lovely. Enjoying this inspirational hop.

paperpapier said...

awesome altered book...!

Ardilla said...

I am speechless! Lovely project... :)

conil said...

Gee, how did so many talented people get on this bloghop. Your book is perfect for man or woman.

Penny said...

Love the details and the texture - great card!

Annette said...

Wow, I love all the chocolate coloured embellies and that flower is amazing.
Annette
xx

Sue McRae said...

Wow, I love how you created the heart, so cool! Fabulous project!

Angela said...

I really like the colors of your project combined with the rustic metals; I think the coiled springs and the DREAM trinket letters are my favorite.

starqueen said...

Beautiful! You truly created a work of heart. Thanks for sharing all the lovely details!

Teresa Godines #6857 said...

Love all of your layers. Beautiful card. TFS

Robin said...

Your husband will love it! Very beautiful. Love the colors you chose. Hugs, Robin

Anonymous said...

Love the colors. Such a beautiful altered book. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I love the background and colors you use are awesome great crafting

Yara said...

Beautiful project! Love the birds and the heart!

Emma Williams said...

I really don't know where you find the time to make all these gorgeous pieces of art...this is just STUNNING!! So much texture and detail...I love it!!

Thanks for your very kind comment over on my blog. :) My email addy is: ej.stardust@gmail.com

Have a lovely creative week and hopefully, you'll also get some time to yourself!!
Love and hugs, Emma xxx

Unknown said...

Georgous! I love it, love it! The bird and colors are perfect!

Guild Master Crystal said...

This is awesome. Love the details.

Barbara said...

Very interesting use of text and very pretty creation!

Beth L. said...

Beautiful book. I love all the texture.

Elly said...

I love the colour combination. This is a Tracy Master Piece. Absolutly stunning.

Kristie Maynard said...

Really lovely! I love the colors you chose and the theme is wonderful. TFS.

Anonymous said...

This is amazing, I love that heart and the addition of the bird, so fabulously arty.
Wishes
Lynne

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

The details and textures on the heart are amazing. Just love it.

Karen McAlpine said...

Love that carved heart!! Great project.

Jayne said...

Love all the different elements you used. I really love the birds.

Dixie Cochran said...

A beautiful project! Thanks for posting all the tips and tricks!

Jo Murray said...

Hubby should be delighted with all the love you've put into this project.

pcm said...

Love the blues!

lenore said...

Love the carving out of the niche technique - love the whole project!

Sarah Anderson said...

gorgeous niche, love the torn edges; lovely, lovely project

Michele Cunningham said...

love all the detail and texture. SOOOOOO cool!!!!!

texasbarb said...

I love how you've made the niche!!! Super project!!!

SusanK said...

What a fab anniversary card this will make! Made from the heart with lots of love. And so much detail I keep re-reading and looking at the pictures to take it all in.

Michelle Webb said...

I just love the way the hearts get smaller into the pages! Such a wonderful idea. It must have taken you ages to do. It's gorgeous and I love it Tracy. Michelle x

Words and Pictures said...

Ah ha - there you go, you see - great minds clearly do think similarly! I love your blues and browns, and your rusty bird is absolutely gorgeous! The layered heart is a magical focal point - altogether lovely altered book. Just hopping my way round SSS, and found your comment just before I got here...
Alison x

Maura said...

Beautiful! Love the hearts ...it's like a nest.

Yogi said...

lovely project. Love the textures and colors you used. Have a great day

Wendy said...

Tracy this altered book is stupendous! I love all the details and embellies you have added. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us!

Tanya said...

This is fantastic, I love the colour combo and that heart looks really interesting! Love the little bird too :)

Tanya xx

Raphart´s said...

Congratulations it´s so beautiful!! thank you for share!!

Connie Lutz said...

Wonderful card = congratulations! Love the color scheme.

fusiafscrapping said...

This is brilliant!

Art Joy of Sharing with Peg and Shel said...

I love how you use the wire and pins in your cover. great project.

Vikki H said...

very clever use of materials!

Maria V. said...

Love your colors and the flower at the corner is perfect, LOVE IT.
Maria V.

Melinda Ferraz said...

Love how your heart looks like a birds nest, awesome idea. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Stunning card! X

JoeScrapper said...

Love this! Love how you did the heart! Your hubby will love it!

Kathy Eddy said...

Great project. Love you little niche you made. I am a bird-lover anyway, so it caught my eye right away!

joy said...

WOW! This is one cool anniversary card! Your hubby will love it. Thanks for sharing.

Barb said...

Thanks for sharing your talents. I love your creative use of colors and textures.

Lindsey said...

Amazing creation! So much work, but so worth it for the beauty of the finished project.

Lydia said...

so cool and that flower is amazing xxx

Pam said...

Fabulous work on your altered book! I adore the flower, and all the other details!

May said...

This is jaw dropping Gorgeous... I adore that heart.. Fabulous creation love the colours, great texture and detail... Hugs May x x x x

Lorraine said...

Beautiful! Love the colors and all the little details! Great job! TFS!

judkajudi said...

Gorgeous piece of art! Love the colors especially!

Stephanie said...

What a nice art piece - I'm sure that your hubby will love it.

blupixy said...

Love your anniversary card! It is a work of art! I would frame it! Thanks for sharing!

Irene said...

Gorgeous work of art...love the colors and details that you selected!

Unknown said...

Oh my how fabulous! Love the heart, and the colors are super...great inspiration...thanks!

MLiss3 said...

Fabulous! Love the colors and all the work involved! TFS!

Christina P. said...

Great idea, love the flower.

Denise Adams said...

Love your project! Beautiful!

Bunnyfreak said...

Love the texture and color.

Jacqui Blondel said...

the heart is fabulous. The whole effect is stunning. thanks so much for sharing

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

Oh my! Your heart is STUNNING!! Your husband will love it!

Deanne :)

belldoubleyou said...

I laughed when I read "machine stitched for that hand made feel". We all know what you mean, but the phrasing is quite amusing.

Farley said...

Love all these great elements, particularly the birds. Yummy colors too.

Patrice said...

Beautiful color combo!

mtscrapgal said...

I'm sure your hubby will appreciate all the work and creativity you used to make this project ofor him. Thanks for sharing.

usagypsy said...

So creative! I love all the different objects in it and the way you cut the middle out. Love it!

judy said...

I love the niche for the heart--very creative project!

the PaperTemptress said...

love this design, especially the color scheme!
Patricia
the PaperTemptress

Nan G said...

Beautiful! Love all of the textures and layers! Will have to try using Glassine for flowers...that is so CooL!

primdollie said...

Lovely! the bird and heart are beautiful! great color and textures as well!!

Janet said...

Great altered book!
God bless!

Sheri said...

very cool altered book!

Renee V said...

Tracy this altered book is too cool, I can imagine your fingers DID hurt after this!!! Love the glassine flower and embossing around the bunting edges! Great project :)

Nikki said...

That heart is brillant love the slice and dice you've done on your book to add such depth :)

Carol said...

Love the dream pins...gorgeous!

Rebecca/Sydney's Sentiments said...

Awesome. Your hubby will love it.

Anonymous said...

this is so stunning!!! Very inspiring!

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Wow, what a unique project you have created to share. On my first glance, it was the color that caught my eye then the nesting heart was next I can see so much detail iWork all of your

Kelly O said...

Oh I love those twisted wires, they look amazing. I love the heart, it is all just so stunning.

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Sorry had a slight glitch before I could finish. My last sentence was supposed to say: I can see so much detail was put in your card. Love it.

lindagrady said...

WOW, this is a gorgeous altered book. Amazing and wonderful! Hubby will be touched.

Tracey said...

Tracy this is so FANTASTIC!!!!

Danielle C said...

Great job! I love how the memo pins spell out "dream" and your Pom Pom flower is so cute!

Kate Yetter said...

What awesome texture! Your composition is fabulous! I admire anyone who can put all these beautiful elements together on a card! So lovely!!

Marita said...

What a special card! I love all the dimension and layers and the colors are great!

Cheryl L. said...

Pretty colors and images! Very creative!

Wendy G. said...

Great project! All the textured elements really added to the interest of your book.

Christina Hicks said...

Oh my goodness all those details that went into this are so fabulous! My favorite are those memory pins with dream letters, I wanna do that lol.

Lizzie R said...

The texture is so cool! I love how that heart stands out. Great job! Thanks for sharing!

lilscrappers said...

ohhh, all these altered books. I must try it now! this is dreamy :)

Miriam Prantner said...

The way you did the heart in layers is just so cool. Love this!

Mary-Anne V said...

So many textured elements on this journal...it is stunning.

Sue D said...

Great altered book--I like the color combo and all the words.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

Katie said...

I love all the dimension on your project. Has been fun hopping around and seeing all the blogs--many of them for the first time.
Thanks for sharing your talents.

Denisse said...

beautiful colors! great texture!

Heather said...

Brilliant idea with the heart! This is the first time I have seen that done---hmm--ideas!

daffy said...

beautiful project
love the colors and textures

stamplover2011 said...

Beautiful work of art!

a1983alaskan said...

Wow! That is stunning! Thanks for sharing :-)

Lisa Somerville said...

Stunning altered book - love all the torn heart edges! Will make a wonderful anniversary gift for your hubby!

Michele said...

Beautiful project!

Colleen O said...

Time to start using a drenmel drill to save your hands. Love that idea

Kim C said...

What a lovely complicated project with so many interesting elements to look at! Thanks for sharing!

Memories by Manda said...

Great project. Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win.

Sandy said...

Wow Tracy what a stunning project.
So so beautiful and love the shabby style.
Fantastic work.
xoxo

Мира said...

such a beautiful card!

Sandi L said...

Wow the chiche in the centre is a fabulous idea it really look amazing. Thanks for the inspiration.

Dangina Martinez said...

Absolutely amazing? Love everything about it.
Hugs, Dangina

Far North said...

Oh so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

Big Mamma~ a.k.a. Mary S said...

So beautiful.. You know he will love it.

Ellie Knol said...

How gorgeous, this will have to go on my TO_DO list! Thanks for the inspiration!
LOVE the HOP!

AJ said...

i'm in awe with this, you have created a great piece, i can't believe you tore away each page to get that depth, what a cool idea…

ufoide@gmail.com said...

wonderful...all this blog hop has been a wonderful inspiration.Thanks :)

CraftLein* - enjoy creativity said...

How sweet of you to make a card for you MAN!! I always love to be over your blog, it always brings so much inspiration. Thanks for sharing and I really like the "hopping"!! What a great idea.

Love from The Netherlands,
Leintje*

Karen said...

I think that the way that you have cut out the heart in the middle of your altered book is very clever and I really like all of the details that build up so much texture in your card.

Pam from Maine said...

Just when I think I've "seen it all" someone comes up with something new for me. Your cut out heart certainly falls in that category. Really nice job. Hubby will be pleased, I'm sure. Thank you for sharing.

Kim said...

Thank you for sharing your card with us. The colors are gorgeous. It's nice to see a masculine card. Your husband will love it. Thank you for the inspiration. Take care. :)

Elizabeth said...

How totally gorgeous, I am almost speechless, what a wonderful piece of art! TFS

Kimberly Rendino said...

Love the cOlor and textures on this project!!

ljrhew said...

Bid fun!! Thanks for sharing.

Sandra said...

What a beautiful anniversary card for your husband! Love the background very much. The heart is gorgeous. Has so much dimension! Wonderful! Hugs, Sandra

Maureen Chandler said...

What a treasure for your husband! WOW! I love all the special touches too - amazing job!

Patricia said...

I know your hubby will treasure this card. It's so creative & you can tell you've put a lot of love into it. Wonderful job.

Lizzette said...

Tracy,

Beautiful work! Love all the texture, my favorite is the heart over the niche.

Take care..

Barb Ghig said...

Wow! Your altered book is AMAZING!!!

Felicia - Scrapper in the Making said...

What a very nice masculine card. I know your DH will love it. Smooches...

Tiffany said...

Wow, this is really amazing. I love the way you made the hole in the center, and can't imagine how much work that was! So many great thoughtful details. Just lovely. :)

Eileen said...

FANTASTIC...my favorite color combo, blues and brown...you stole my heart with this altered book...

Annan said...

Absolutely Lovely!

Patricia said...

WOW great card.... this one is one of the greates Anniversery cards i've ever seen!
GREAT work and thanks for sharing.
Kind regrads Patricia

Scrapbookdoll said...

love this altered book!
nice colors...
marie-anne

Andrea said...

Totally love how you cut into the book to make a home for the heart!!

Terry said...

Hey there Tracy, I am loving your heart wohoooo I love it lots, your birdie and your colors, fabulously made as allways, thanksss for sharing hun hugs terry xxxx

Iris said...

What a great project. I love all the embellishments. Iris

Anne Harada said...

Fabulous artwork and amazing gift for hubby!! Love the collage design and rich colors. Thanks for sharing your inspiring artwork!

Rachel K said...

You have so many great details on this! Love the idea of a book turned card...such great dimension!

Colorado Crafter said...

Wow! What an amazing project!! It's gorgeous!!

Anonymous said...

great textures!
lauren

kiesa salazar said...

super creative! i love the heart and the bird! thanks!!

diana said...

Great project! Thanks for the ideas & inspiration. ;-)

Lindsay Craftymonster81 said...

Absolutely stunning, I love the spring and the heart looks fantastic
Lindsay xx

Unknown said...

Your project is breathtaking! The dimension is incredible in the pictures. I can't imagine how incredible it looks and feels in real life. Thanks for sharing your art and talents!!

JJ Meyer said...

I love your card. The flower is gorgeous. Blessings!

Unknown said...

Great ending to a very inspiring blog hop! That heart is amazing, as well as the glassine flower (now, why didn't I think of that?!).

LBirt said...

wow...love the way you tore the center out...gotta try that one...beautiful project, thanks for sharing!

Adrienne Crist said...

Banners, blue and a bird, can't get much better than that in my book, it's so sweet!
Blessings,
Adrienne

Annie Rose said...

Love it! Birds and turquoise -- perfection. :)

Luvs,
Annie Rose

Meital said...

I love your project! I'm sure it took a lot of time to create that layered center. nice job!

Karen Letchworth said...

What an AMAZING card for your hubby, and congrats! Thanks for being part of this amazing hop. May God bless you with many more happy years of marriage, and long days of crafting as well. I am thrilled to have a chance to win some delightful SSS goodies. THanks for the opportunity and for sharing your talents with us at SSS.
Blessings,
Karen L

Kris in Alaska said...

FABULOUS! What a lot of work for love!

Kris in Alaska
funamom at yahoo dot com

Wendance Designs said...

I love how you used the gesso and the layers to create a stunning work of art!!! Love it!

Marlena M. said...

I love the brown and blues together. Wonderful elements too!

Katy said...

Love love love this!! Your flower is just awesome! That heart is totally cool! The colors are pretty-Love :)

Anonymous said...

Love this! Absolutely beautiful!

Annie said...

Well Tracy judging by the number of comments it's clear that this is another of your very creative and inspiring pieces.

Absolutely fabulous, certainly a piece to be treasured. X

Karons Krafty Korner said...

Stunning and so beautiful - fabulous. TFS

Pat said...

LOVE the heart and all the other elements, too! Lovely!!!

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Gorgeous card, Tracy! I love the mix of textures and especially the cork bird!

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

Jennifer said...

Great texture, love it!

Mei said...

Love the dimension you added by ripping the middle! Must've been a lot of pages to create that depth!!

Carol said...

Love blue in this and the the flower.

Tanya said...

Awesome! I love it :)

My Paper Epiphany said...

Wonderful card! I love anything with birds and the blue and brown look perfect together!

Gab said...

Great colours. I love how its very pretty but not too feminine

Jennie P. said...

I love the combo of blues and browns. I also really like the depth of the carved pages. Really neat!

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